Course Goals

1) Conduct original research in the new
area of synthetic biology. See a reprint to
get a feel for this newest off-shoot of genomics. This class will continue
with the research initiated on campus during the summer of 2007.

3) Work collaboratively in a small group, with
a lot of unscheduled time and independence. This course will be very similar
to a first year graduate rotation project, but it is not limited
to students interested in graduate school.

4) Make a presentation at the second annual
"jamboree" at MIT November 4 - 5. See
one account.

GradingGrades will be based on lab participation (25%), lab
notebooks (25%),
research design and analysis (25%), final project (written/oral; 25%). Assignments
turned in late will be docked 1 letter grade for each 24 hour period. We will
need to have a team presentation (powerpoint/web/wiki) that will count towards
your lab participation grade. Each person will write a scientific paper for
a solo grade.

Logistical DetailsCeiling will be capped at 6 students. Research groups will be organized
the first day of class, but projects may be coordinated among groups, depending
on class dynamics and student interests.